Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Golden State Warriors (61-14) will attempt to beat the Houston Rockets (51-24) for the second time in four days and win their 10th straight game overall Friday as big home favorites.
The Warriors have won their last two games as underdogs, including a 113-106 victory at Houston on Tuesday in which Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 57 points and eight three-pointers.
Point spread: The Warriors opened as seven-point favorites; the total is at 231.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 120.3-104.5 Warriors (NBA picks on every game)
Why the Rockets can cover the spread
The Rockets have performed remarkably well when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation over the last year, going 14-1 straight up and 11-4 against the spread dating back to last April 11, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
The Rockets are coming off a road loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, who are desperately trying to sneak into the postseason as the eighth and final team in the Western Conference. Houston upset Golden State 132-127 in double overtime as an 11.5-point underdog in its last trip to Oakland on December 1 behind a James Harden triple-double.
Why the Warriors can cover the spread
The Warriors seem to be peaking at the perfect time (7-1 ATS in their last eight), even without Kevin Durant in the lineup. They still hope to have Durant back before the end of the regular season but honestly do not need him at this point, especially after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 110-98 as 4.5-point road dogs Wednesday in the second game of a difficult back-to-back situation.
Golden State now leads San Antonio by 3.5 games in the race for the top seed in the West and should earn home-court advantage throughout the playoffs barring a sudden meltdown over the final seven games.
Smart betting pick
Tired legs will be a major factor for the Rockets in this spot considering this is the second game of a back-to-back versus the top offensive team in the NBA. The Warriors saw an 11-game under streak end in their win over the Spurs, and they should play much looser against Houston after that big victory.
The over is 19-11 the last 30 times the Rockets have played the second game of a back-to-back and will cash again here.
NBA betting trends
Houston is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games on the road.
The total has gone under in seven of Houston's last nine games on the road.
Golden State is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games.
All NBA lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
